Ultimate Crochet Bible

If you have no other books in your library, then this is the book you must have. You’ll learn about the history of crochet, how to choose hooks and tools, fibres, yarn substitutions and how to read a pattern. And this is all before you’ve seen a single stitch.

With sections on basics, motifs, lace, colour work, borders and much, much more, this is my single favourite resource when it comes to crochet. You can see how much I’ve used it by all the pages I’ve marked!

Puur Haken

This was the first crochet book I bought that was written by a friend, and it’s still one of my most thumbed books, three years later.

It was Maaike’s mission to create a gorgeous book filled with patterns only using natural yarns and to suit all crochet skill levels. The Bloemdeken (flower blanket) is designed with future generations in mind; to become a real heirloom. And it’s beautiful.

My favourite project is the Zomersjaal (summer shawl), and judging by the instagram photos I’ve seen, I’m not the only one who loves it! I’ve made a couple, one of which is a regular in my shawl rotation. The other was a gift to my great aunt on her eightieth birthday.

Puur Haken is only available in Dutch, but for those of you who don’t speak or read Dutch it’s ok; there are extensive charts. It’s available on bol.com in the Netherlands. Maaike has since published a couple of other books, one of which is in English – 9 Months to Crochet: Count down to the big day with crochet – which is full of fun baby projects.

Zoomigurumi

Zoomigurumi is the first in a series of amigurumi animal patterns (get it – zoo-migurumi?) compiled by Belgian publisher Joke Vermeiren, in collaboration with 12 renowned amigurumi designers, including my all time favourite, Josephine Wu.

I’ve made at least half of the projects in this book. Usually I would make two or three designs from a book, but this one is filled with so many great designs, I had to keep making! I love Roary the Tiger the most. I also have books 2 and 3 in my collection. I just keep forgetting to order the others!

Zoomigurumi (and its five follow-ups) can be found on The Book Depository with global shipping. In the Netherlands you can pick it up in Dutch and English (and French!) on bol.com.

Sophie’s Universe

It was only recently that I raved about the Sophie book, and for good reason. Everything about this book is beautiful. From the photography, to the colour choices, to the notes pages, to the look into the community which surrounds Sophie.

The book will also work as a stitch bible, because there are so many new techniques and stitches, you will be a construction expert by the end.

I had planned on buying my copy from Wool Warehouse, until Dedri gifted it to me! So now it’s even more special, I just love it. In the Netherlands it’s also on bol.com (in English).

Colorful Crochet/Eindeloos Haken

What I think I love the most about this book is the use of colour. (It’s not called Colorful Crochet for nothing!) Only Marianne – and my aunty Sally – could take fifteen different colours and make them all work together. And I’m not talking pastels, or shades of one colour, I’m talking brown, orange lime green, blue, yellow, pink, red, purple, the list goes on!

I’ve already made the Ribbed Tartan Cushion, and next on my list is the Geometric Triangle Blanket. I already have the yarn ready…

So tell me, do you think I might have helped you discover some new gems? I’d love you to tell me about your favourite books too – add them to the comments so I can go take a look for myself!

*Just a note: this post contains a couple of affiliate links which, if you choose to use when feeding your yarn habit, will earn me a small commission. This helps me keep up the freebies and doesn’t cost you a thing. Thanks so much!